Three barrel pistol by J. BORTON

[corrado26]

A pair of interesting boxlockpistols with three barrels shows the name "J. BORTON" at the left side of both lock boxes. This name is neither listed in the Neue Stoeckel nor in any other list or book. Both pistols show the private proof marks of Birmingham between 1780 and 1800, so this could have been if not a gunmaker perhaps a dealer in or around Birmingham. Does anybody here have an idea who this J. BORTON was?

[fernando]

Hi Udo,

I read J. HORTON (circa 1740-50) .

[corrado26]

Firstly I also thought it was HORTON, but with a magnifier you can clearly see that it is BORTON. If this would be HORTON than the proofmarks wouldn't be correct- these are Birmingham private proof marks of 1780-1800 and the two gunmakers HORTON mentioned in the New Stoekel worked 40 years later around 1820-25

[fernando]

Funny thing; in the first image, where the letters are still 'solid', i do see a H and not a B.
You must have read the e-mail i sent you; why have Christie's 'invented' that J. HORTON was active 1740-1750.
It must be something else but, a family HORTON in the gun trade had an ancestor (Joshua) active in 1750.


.

[corrado26]

Thanks Fernando. It is really hard to decice wether it is a B or an H, but after having read your email and the additions here I think you are right: It must be an H of the HORTON-family.

[fernando]

.

[Rick]

What was the procedure for firing these pistols? Did they fire all 3 barrels at once; or was there some way to fire one barrel at a time?

[Fernando K]

Hello

At most you can fire the two barrels simultaneously, with the selector (tap) open in the first position then, to fire the third barrel you must move the selector again, If you want to shoot one at the same time, you must have the selector closed, then move it to first position and shoot, and then move the selector back to its last position and shoot. riding the hammer and the frizzen every time

Affectionately

[fernando]

Muy bien, tocayo. Did you catch the drift, Rick ? Te iron button hides the trick .

[Rick]

I'm trying guys.

I found this description:
"This c. 1780 flintlock pistol has three barrels numbered 1-3 that can be fired individually by rotating the pan using the switch on the left. A sliding safety arrests the cock and frizzen."

Okay, so the button and ring piece is turned to expose the priming pan for each barrel?

Were these pistols prone to malfunction and fire all the barrels at once?

[Fernando K]

Hello

I promise you a diagram of the function, but you have to be patient ...

Fernando K

[Rick]

I'm a patient man Fernando; take your time and many thanks for the help.

[corrado26]

Perhaps I can help with some fotos. N°1 shows the tap in position for firing the left barrel, foto 2 shows the position for the right barrel. The third foto shows the firing position for barrel n°3. As far as I know firing more than one barrel at once is not possible.

[Fernando K]

Hello

The good photos of Corrado remind me of my engagement. I differ with Conrrado; Photograph Number 2, with the selector (tap) open in the first position, shows both ears, therefore if the bread is barley, the shot will be produced in the barrels on the right and on the left. As for Rick's question, if the selector setting is correct, the fire should not be the other pan.

Affectionately

[Rick]

Thanks for the pictures Corrado; and for your input both Fernandos .
The pictures raises another question for me; and maybe it's a stupid one, but here goes.
Looking at the pictures of the 'box' I get the impression that the box needs to be primed before each shot; am I correct?

[fernando]

I would say so, yes.

[kronckew]

Rather deep rifling! And not much room for powder behind the patched ball, or length to develop much spin or velocity. I suspect a heavy wool coat would serve for armour. Taking time to re-prime would be interesting in that case if your now angry opponent was armed with a sharp pointy thing , or a nice cudgel. Aim for his eye from a foot away or you'll regret it. And you still might if you do...

[fernando]

Originally Posted by kronckew

Rather deep rifling! And not much room for powder behind the patched ball, or length to develop much spin or velocity...

Turn off barrels ? no windage ? forced bullet ?

[corrado26]

I would say no. The tap around the wholes along its length is formed concave what makes it possible that the primed powder was kept and took along when the tap was turned for loading the next load.

[corrado26]

Originally Posted by kronckew

Rather deep rifling! .

This rifling was not for getting the balls spin but was just the negative form of a key that unscrews the barrels.

The room for powder behind the unscrewed barrels is as I think really big enough for an effective shot. The bullets which are loaded from behind had the same calibre as the barrels and so there was no space between the bullet and the barrel - no gas could escape and so the shot on short distance was certainly very effective. You should not underestime the skill of the old gunmakers

[fernando]

Are you elaborating on my #18, Wayne? .